Specialized Bladder Cancer Treatment in Northern California

Choosing a treatment for bladder cancer requires compassionate care and expert guidance. Dedicated oncology specialists at Dignity Health North State know that deciding on a treatment can be a troubling experience. As part of our comprehensive oncology services, your cancer care team will help you make a treatment decision that’s best for your overall well-being.

Bladder Cancer Treatment Options at Dignity Health North State

Treatment for bladder cancer begins with identifying the correct stage. After staging the cancer, your doctor may recommend any or a combination of the following treatment options.

Systemic Chemotherapy

Systemic chemotherapy works to kill the cancer in the bladder and anywhere else in the body. It may be used before or after surgery to help remove all of the cancer cells from your body. Systemic chemotherapy is generally a main treatment option for advanced stages of bladder cancer.

Intravesical Therapy

In intravesical therapy, cancer-killing drugs are applied through a catheter. This type of drug therapy affects only the lining of the bladder, instead of the whole body. It’s more ideal for early-stage bladder cancer.

Surgery

Surgery is a common treatment for bladder cancer. In an early stage, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the tumor. If the cancer has progressed outside the bladder, surgery to remove part of all of the bladder may be needed. The surgical removal of the bladder is a called a cystectomy.

Radiation Therapy

This type of therapy uses high-energy radiation to hone in on and kill cancer cells in your bladder. The process involves marking the treatment area, and then aiming the radiation to the specific area. Radiation therapy is generally a painless procedure.

Which Bladder Cancer Treatment is Best for Me?

At Dignity Health North State, you’ll be a part of the process to choose a treatment. As you work with your doctor to create a personalized treatment plan, you may want to consider the risks, benefits, and side effects of each choice. Your doctor will make the best recommendations while respecting your preferences and treatment goals.